Running head: IDIOMS OF COMPARISON COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
Idioms of Coma!ison in Eng"ish and Vie#namese A Con#!as#i$e Con#!as#i$e Ana"%sis Ana"%sis Ngu%&n '(nh Tu)n *ni$e!si#% of Edu+a#ion
Con#!as#i$e Ana"%sis Ins#!u+#o!: M!, Ngu%&n Ng-+ V. De+em/e! 012 3144
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE A/s#!a+# Language and +u"#u!e a!e in#ima#e"% +onne+#ed #o ea+h o#he!, Language gene!a""% !ef"e+#s +u"#u!e and $i+e $e!sa2 +u"#u!e has a s#!ong inf"uen+e on "anguage, T5o T5o +oun#!ies 5i#h diffe!en# +u"#u!es 5i"" su!e"% ha$e man% dissimi"a!i#ies in "anguage and #ha# does no# e6+e# idioms2 ese+ia""% idioms of +oma!ison2 5hi+h "a% a +!u+ia" a!# in "anguage, In$es#iga#ing and e6"aining some simi"a!i#ies and diffe!en+es /e#5een idioms of +oma!ison in Eng"ish and Vie#namese he"s #o s#!ong"% +o!!o/o!a#e #he ine6#!i+a/"e and dia"e+#i+a" !e"a#ionshi /e#5een +u"#u!e and "anguage2 ame"io!a#e 7no5"edge of +oma!a#i$e idioms and enhan+e +u"#u!a" unde!s#anding of Vie#namese and Eng"ish eo"e #o a g!ea# e6#en#, Ma7ing +oma!ison 5i"" a"so /e##e! #!ans"a#ion a/i"i#% in i n some 5a%s, Mo!eo$e!2 #h!ough #he s+!u#in% and ana"%sis2 #he!e eme!ges a go"den oo!#uni#% #o !e$ie5 some gene!a" and essen#ia" 7no5"edge of "anguage2 +u"#u!e2 simi"es and idioms28
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE A/s#!a+# Language and +u"#u!e a!e in#ima#e"% +onne+#ed #o ea+h o#he!, Language gene!a""% !ef"e+#s +u"#u!e and $i+e $e!sa2 +u"#u!e has a s#!ong inf"uen+e on "anguage, T5o T5o +oun#!ies 5i#h diffe!en# +u"#u!es 5i"" su!e"% ha$e man% dissimi"a!i#ies in "anguage and #ha# does no# e6+e# idioms2 ese+ia""% idioms of +oma!ison2 5hi+h "a% a +!u+ia" a!# in "anguage, In$es#iga#ing and e6"aining some simi"a!i#ies and diffe!en+es /e#5een idioms of +oma!ison in Eng"ish and Vie#namese he"s #o s#!ong"% +o!!o/o!a#e #he ine6#!i+a/"e and dia"e+#i+a" !e"a#ionshi /e#5een +u"#u!e and "anguage2 ame"io!a#e 7no5"edge of +oma!a#i$e idioms and enhan+e +u"#u!a" unde!s#anding of Vie#namese and Eng"ish eo"e #o a g!ea# e6#en#, Ma7ing +oma!ison 5i"" a"so /e##e! #!ans"a#ion a/i"i#% in i n some 5a%s, Mo!eo$e!2 #h!ough #he s+!u#in% and ana"%sis2 #he!e eme!ges a go"den oo!#uni#% #o !e$ie5 some gene!a" and essen#ia" 7no5"edge of "anguage2 +u"#u!e2 simi"es and idioms28
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Con#en#s 9APA fo!ma#: Introduction Theoretical Background Culture and Language: An Inextricable and Close Relationship Culture. Language. The relationship between culture and language. The Differences between British and ietna!ese Cultures Idio!s" #i!iles and Idio!s of Co!parison Idio!s. Definitions of idioms. Main features of idioms in English and Vietnamese. Semantic features. Structural features. Differences between idioms and proverbs. Definitions of proverbs. Similaritiesbetween idioms and proverbs. Differences between idioms and proverbs. #i!iles. Definitions of similes. Main features of similes. Foundation of similes. Idio!s of co!parison. Definition. Features of comparative idioms. Identification of idioms of comparison. Idio!s of Co!parison in $nglish and ietna!ese: Contrasti%e Anal&sis #i!ilarities of Idio!s of Co!parison in $nglish and ietna!ese The general features. Coincidences in translation. Dissi!ilarities of Idio!s of Co!parison in $nglish and ietna!ese I!ages co!pared are different but the sa!e !eanings. #a!e i!ages of co!parison but different !eanings. Co!parati%e idio!s with i!ages of well'known persons. The sa!e ani!al i!ages with different connotations and !eanings. #olutions for Better Translation Translation and so!e Teaching Teaching I!plications I!plications for Translation Translation I!plications for Language Teaching Teaching Conclusion
Refe!en+es
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Idioms of Coma!ison in Eng"ish and Vie#namese A Con#!as#i$e Con#!as#i$e Ana"%sis Ana"%sis Introduction
F!e;uen#"% u#i"i
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Theoretical Background Culture and Language: An Inextricable and Close Relationship Culture. ?ha#@s +u"#u!e The ;ues#ion is seeming"% sim"e2 %e# i#@s no# eas% #o
offe! a de#ai"ed and "easing ans5e!, =Cu"#u!e> de!i$es f!om #he La#in 5o!d = +o"e!e>2 5hi+h means #o /ui"d on2 #o fos#e!2 !omo#e and +u"#i$a#e, The!e a!e "o#s of 5a%s #o define +u"#u!e gi$en /% diffe!en# s+ho"a!s 5i#h dissimi"a! $ie5oin#s, As Ed5a!d T%"o!2 a famous B!i#ish an#h!oo"ogis#2 no#ed in his /oo7 =P!imi#i$e Cu"#u!e> 9442 +u"#u!e =is #ha# +om"e6 5ho"e 5hi+h in+"udes 7no5"edge2 /e"iefs2 a!#s2 mo!a"s2 "a52 +us#om and an% o#he! +aa+i#ies and ha/i#s a+;ui!ed /% man as a mem/e! of so+ie#%>9, 4, Gee!#< 940 +"aimed #ha# +u"#u!e = deno#es an his#o!i+a""% #!ansmi##ed a##e!n of meanings em/odied in s%m/o"s2 a s%s#em of inhe!i#ed +on+e#ions e6!essed in s%m/o"i+ fo!ms /% means of 5hi+h men +ommuni+a#e2e!e#ua#e2 and de$e"o #hei! 7no5"edge a/ou# and a##i#udes #o5a!d "ife,> 9, , To ma7e i# "a+oni+ and easie! #o unde!s#and2 +u"#u!e +an /e seen as =a se# of 5ide"% a++e#ed /eha$iou! a##e!ns2 fundamen#a" assum#ions and $a"ues as 5e"" as +ommon e6e!ien+e>, I# is said #o !ofound"% shae o! s#!ong"% inf"uen+e so+ia" s#!u+#u!es2 +ommuni+a#ion s#%"es and e$en s#iu"a#e /eha$iou! o! e#i;ue##e of a"" eo"e in a a!#i+u"a! so+ie#%, A+#ua""%2 i# is +u"#u!e #ha# has an eno!mous inf"uen+e on #he 5a% 5e a+# and !esond2 #he 5a% 5e !odu+e2 send and no!ma""% in#e!!e# diffe!en# 7inds of info!ma#ion, Li 93112 , 30 no#ed #ha# a++o!ding #o man% +u"#u!a" e6e!#s2 +u"#u!e has #hese fou! /asi+ and no#e5o!#h% a##!i/u#es: Fi!s#"%2 +u"#u!e is no# a 7ind of /io"ogi+a" and na#u!a" inhe!i#age /u# is "ea!n# o! inhe!i#ed so+ia""% and g!adua""%, Hudson 9412 , +on+u!!ed 5i#h #his oin#2 sa%ing #ha# +u"#u!e shou"d /e #a7en as =so+ia""% a+;ui!ed 7no5"edge>,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Se+ond"%2 +u"#u!e does no# e$e! /e"ong #o an% indi$idua"s in a!#i+u"a!, A/so"u#e"%2 i#@s sha!ed /% a"" mem/e!s of a +ommuni#%, In addi#ion2 as /u##!essed /% Gee!#< 9402 , 2 +u"#u!e is =a s%m/o"i+ meaning s%s#em>, In #ha# se+ia" s%s#em2 "anguage is one of #he mos# +!u+ia" a!#s 5hi+h +an /e "i7ened as a 7e% fa+#o!2 "a%ing #he !o"e of an essen#ia" medium #o #!ansmi# mu+h of +u"#u!e, Las# /u# no# "eas#2 +u"#u!e is a =unified s%s#em>2 5hi+h means #ha# #he in#eg!a" a!#s of i# a!e +"ose"% !e"a#ed and "in7ed #o one ano#he!, To sum u2 an#h!oo"ogi+a""%2 +u"#u!e is #he a##e!n2 #he no!ms of /eha$io!2 #hin7ing and in#e!!e#ing #ha# a"" mem/e!s in a so+ia" g!ou f!ame2 #hen "ea!n and sha!e, I# is =5ha# /inds men #oge#he!8 #he ideas and #he s#anda!ds #he% ha$e in +ommon> 9 Benedi+#2 402 , 4, Mo!e se+ifi+a""%2 a g!ou of eo"e@s +u"#u!e ma% +onsis# of man% #hings2 su+h as #hei! /e"iefs2 "anguage2 !u"es of demeano! o! a+#ions2 a!#2 d!essing 5a%s2 5a%s of !odu+ing goods2 me#hods of +oo7ing food2 !e"igion and e$en e+onomi+ s%s#ems28 Be%ond dou/#2 +u"#u!e is a !ema!7a/"% se+ia" a##!i/u#e of human so+ie#%, I#@s one signifi+an# fa+#o! #ha# he"s #o sha!"% dis#inguish one human g!ou f!om #he o#he!s as 5e"" as +"ea!"% diffe!en#ia#e human /eings f!om o#he! anima"s, Language. In no un+e!#ain #e!ms2 humans a!e no# uni;ue in #he +aa/i"i#% #o
+ommuni+a#e 5i#h one ano#he!, In oin# of fa+#2 man% 7inds of anima"s and e$en some "an# se+ies +an do #ha#, Ho5e$e!2 i#@s human "anguage #ha# is aa!en#"% uni;ue in /eing a s%m/o"i+ +ommuni+a#ion s%s#em 5hi+h is "ea!n# ins#ead of /eing /io"ogi+a""% and na#u!a""% inhe!i#ed, One of #he mos# +on+ise 5a%s #o define "anguage i# is #ha# ="anguage is a human s%s#em of +ommuni+a#ion #ha# uses a!/i#!a!% signa"s2 su+h as $oi+e sounds2 ges#u!es2 o! 5!i##en s%m/o"s> 9No!d;uis#2 n,d,, In =Gene!a"
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE "inguis#i+s>2 Ro/ins 94 a"mos# +on+u!!ed2 sa%ing =A "anguage is a J s%m/o" s%s#em 8 /ased on u!e o! a!/i#!a!% +on$en#ion 8 infini#e"% e6#enda/"e and modifia/"e a++o!ding #o #he +hanging needs and +ondi#ions of #he sea7e!s>, Language is 5ide"% 7no5n as a =+ommuni+a#ion #oo">2 he"ing eo"e #o e6!ess oinions2 #hough#s as 5e"" as +ommuni+a#e info!ma#ion, Li 93112 , 3 no#ed #ha# "anguage +a!!ies ou# #hese #h!ee +!u+ia" fun+#ions : 4 Language is #he !ima!% $ehi+"e of +ommuni+a#ionK 3 Language !ef"e+#s /o#h #he e!sona"i#% of #he indi$idua" and #he +u"#u!e of his his#o!%, In #u!n2 i# he"s shae /o#h e!sona"i#% and +u"#u!eK 0 Language ma7es ossi/"e #he g!o5#h and #!ansmission of +u"#u!e2 #he +on#inui#% of so+ie#ies2 and #he effe+#i$e fun+#ioning and +on#!o" of so+ia" g!ou, ?hen i# +omes #o +ha!a+#e!is#i+s2 i# is unanimous"% +on+"uded #ha# "anguage is a means of +ommuni+a#ion and se"fe6!ession 9+ommuni+a#e eo"e@s ideas2 fee"ings and $a!ious #!a+es o! su!ges of emo#ions, In addi#ion2 "anguage is i!!efu#a/"% a!/i#!a!%, I#@s nea!"% ou# of #he ;ues#ion #o find ou# #he !easons =5h% #his 5o!d !e!esen#s #ha# o/e+#>, Language is a"so said # o /e nonins#in+#i$eK +on$en#iona"2 s%m/o"i+2 s%s#ema#i+ and $o+a", Mo!eo$e!2 as a m eans of fos#e!ing2 s#imu"a#ing and de$e"oing +u"#u!e as 5e"" as es#a/"ish and !einfo!+ing human !e"a#ions2 "anguage is +"ea!"% a fo!m of so+ia" /eha$io! 5hi+h mus# /e u#i"i
n, d, In a nu#she""2 /eing defini#e"% e6#endi/"e and sohis#i+a#ed2 "anguage is2 no ;ui//"e2 a g!ea# !esen# #o human7ind2 a $e!% dis#in+#"% +!u+ia" fa+#o! #ha#
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE dis#inguishes humans f!om o#he! +!ea#u!es and se+ies, I# is "anguage #ha# he"s us #o fo!m ideas2 emo#ions and fee"ings2 #o s#o!e o! +ommuni+a#e2 e6!ess #hem #o o#he!s, I#@s a"so an e#e!na" sou!+e of insi!a#ion and e+s#as% fo! $a!ious a!#is#s, I#@s2 sho!#"%2 a fa+u"#% of see+h #ha# a"" humans "i$ing on #he Ea!#h 5onde!fu""% ha$e in +ommon, The relationship between culture and language. Language and +u"#u!e a!e
+ogen#"% !e+aed #o ha$e an ine6#!i+a/"e and dia"e+#i+a" !e"a#ionshi, B!o5n 94 !oosed #ha# ="anguage is a a!# of a +u"#u!e and a +u"#u!e is a a!# of a "anguage2 #he #5o a!e in#!i+a#e"% in#e!5o$en so #ha# one +anno# sea!a#e #he #5o 5i#hou# "osing #he signifi+an+e of ei#he! "anguage o! +u"#u!e,> 9, 4, !ams+h 93111 a"so !o+"aimed2 ="anguage is #he !in+i"e means 5he!e/% 5e +ondu+# ou! so+ia" "i $es, ?hen i# is used in +on#e6#s of +ommuni+a#ion2 i# is /ound u 5i#h +u"#u!e in mu"#i"e and +om"e6 5a%s,> 9, 0, To s#a#e i# ano#he! 5a%2 +u"#u!e and "anguage2 a# a"" #imes2 go hand in hand 5i#h ea+h o#he!, Language +an /e !ega!ded as an essen#ia" and $i#a" a!# of +u"#u!e2 as Li 9311 emhasi 9 , 3, I# is #he indisensa/"e $ehi+"e fo! #!ansmi##ing a "a!ge amoun# of +u"#u!e, On #he o#he! hand2 +u"#u!e2 as #he 5ho"e of human@s 5a%s of "i$ing as 5e"" as a se# of $a"ues2 demeano!s and a##e!ns of e!+e#ion2 has /e+ome e6#!eme"% +!u+ia" #o "anguage2 ha$ing a g!ea# ima+# on #he fo!ma#ion and de$e"omen# of "anguage, Lea!ning a "anguage2 5he#he! i# is a fi!s#2 se+ond o! fo!eign one2 usua""% aea!s #o /e an one!ous #as7 #ha# en#ai"s #he "ea!ning of a ne5 +u"#u!e, Language a+;ui!ing and +u"#u!e "ea!ning a"5a%s o++u! +on+u!!en#"%, The!e a!e ha!d"% an% a"#e!+a#ions a/ou# #ha#,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE In sho!#2 +u"#u!e has a signifi+an#"% s#!ong inf"uen+e on "anguage 5hi+h on i#s a!#2 fai#hfu""% a+#s as a mi!!o! !ef"e+#ing mos# of +u"#u!e, The% a!e +"ose"% and na#u!a""% in#e!5o$en, Be+ause of #ha#2 if #5o +oun#!ies ha$e diffe!en# +u"#u!es2 #he!e 5i"" /e a "en#% of dissimi"a!i#ies in #he "anguages2 indisu#a/"% and eng!ossing"%, This2 fo! ins#an#2 haens 5hen Eng"ish and Vie#namese a!e #a7en in#o a++oun#, Ho5e$e!2 i# shou"d /e 7e# in mind #ha# in !ea"i#%2 no +u"#u!e is +om"e#e"% iso"a#ed and sea!a#e"% uni;ue, Peo"e of $a!ious +u"#u!es +an some#imes sha!e #he same 5a%s of #hin7ing and $ie5ing in some ma##e!s, =The!e a!e imo!#an# !esem/"an+es #ha# s#em in a!# f!om diffusion and in a!# f!om #he fa+# #ha# a"" +u"#u!es a!e /ui"# a!ound /io"ogi+a"2 s%+ho"ogi+a" and so+ia" +ha!a+#e!is#i+s +ommon #o a"" man7ind> 9 Li2 3112 , 3, *ni$e!sa" +on+e#s and simi"a! oin#s among +u"#u!es +e!#ain"% !ef"e+# in "anguages, Tha# is #o sa%2 /e#5een #5o diffe!en# "anguages2 Eng"ish and Vie#namese fo! e6am"e2 5e +an find some +on+e#s o! +ases #ha# a!e +oin+iden#a""% simi"a! o! e$en #he same, The Differences between British and ietna!ese Cultures
The!e a!e2 in no un+e!#ain #e!ms2 "o#s of diffe!en+es /e#5een B!i#ish and Vie#namese +u"#u!es, ?hen i# +omes #o +u"#u!e2 i#@s of a!amoun# imo!#an+e #o ma7e !efe!en+e #o na#u!e, Defini#e"%2 geog!ahi+a" fea#u!es as 5e"" as +"ima#i+ +ondi#ions "a% a +!u+ia" !o"e in #he fo!ma#ion and de$e"omen# of +u"#u!e2 in+"uding i#s fo!m of e+onom%2 +us#oms2 $a"ues and e$en o"i#i+a" ins#i#u#ions, Be"o5 a!e some mao! oin#s #ha# shou"d /e 7e# in mind 5hen +on#!as#ing #he +u"#u!a" fea#u!es /e#5een #he #5o +oun#!ies, Si#ua#ed in No!#h5es#e!n Eu!oe2 #he *ni#ed ingdom 9* in+"udes #he is"and of G!ea# B!i#ain2 #he No!#h Eas#e!n a!# of #he is"and of I! e"and and some o#he! sma""e! is"ands, Eng"and is 5ide"% 7no5n as #he "a!ges# and a"so #he mos# ou"ous a!# of #he is"and of G!ea# B!i#ain, Among man% +u"#u!a" !egions2 #he
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Eng"ish +u"#u!e is +onside!ed #o /e a!+he#%a" and of#en used #o !efe! #o #he +u"#u!e of #he 5ho"e +oun#!%, As an is"and +oun#!%2 su!!ounded /% sea2 B!i#ain gene!a""% has $a!ied2 #eme!a#e +"ima#e, I#@s ha!d #o 7no5 e6a+#"% 5ha# #he 5ea#he! 5i"" /e "i7e f!om one da% #o ano#he!, In B!i#ain2 mu+h of #he "and is u#i"i
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Vie#namese2 #he B!i#ish de$e"oed and in$es#ed in fa!ming ag!i+u"#u!e and indus#!% $e!% ea!"%, Ag!i+u"#u!e does no# se!$e #he mos# signifi+an# a!# in B!i#ish e+onom%, The 5o!7ing ou"a#ion em"o%ed in ag!i+u"#u!e is es#ima#ed a# "ess #han 0, Ce!ea"s2 dai!%ing of /eef2 +a##"e2 ou"#!% mea#2 eggs2 8a!e some !in+i"e ag!i+u"#u!a" !odu+#s in B!i#ain, ?hen i# +omes #o hus/and!%2 eo"e of#en men#ion +o5s2 +a##"e2 shee2 ou"#!%2 ho!ses28 I#@s a"so ne+essa!% #o #a7e a +u!so!% g"an+e o$e! #he food and d!in7 +u"#u!e, Fo! Vie#namese eo"e2 !i+e is !ega!ded as #he /asi+ of #he mea"s, Peo"e use #ea as #he #!adi#iona" d!in7, On #he o#he! hand2 in B!i#ain2 +e!ea" and mea# a!e s#a"e in #hei! mea"s, B!i#ish eo"e use 7ni$es and fo!7s ins#ead of +hos#i+7s 9as Vie#namese do and gene!a""% d!in7 "o#s of +offee, To o#he! Eu!oeans2 #he B!i#ish eo"e2 ese+ia""% #he Eng"ish2 a!e 5ide"% 7no5n fo! #hei! modes#%2 humou! and so!#smanshi, In addi#ion2 o"i#eness is /e"ie$ed #o /e a +onsi+uous +ha!a+#e!is#i+ of B!i#ish so+ie#% a"#hough on #he 5ho"e2 #hei! ha/i#s of o"i#eness a!e $e!% info!ma", Eng"ish eo"e a!e a"so e!+ei$ed as /eing =!ese!$ed> ,The% of#en 7ee +e!#ain dis#an+e #o eo"e #he% don@# 7no52 do no# #a"7 mu+h a/ou# #hemse"$es and do no# ha$e #he ha/i# of sho5ing f!ee"% s#!ong emo#ions, The mao! and +ommon !e"igion in B!i#ain is Ch!is#iani#%, Ta7ing a/ou# Vie#namese2 #he O!ien#a" +u"#u!es and $a"ues a!e no#a/"% diffe!en# f!om #hose of #he ?es#, Vie#nam has an ageo"d and 5onde!fu""% he!oi+ his#o!%, Th!ough #he his#o!% of #housands of %ea!s2 #o !o#e+# #hei! +oun#!% as 5e"" as gain #hei! indeenden+e and f!eedom2 Vie#namese eo"e +ou!ageous"% and un%ie"ding"% fough# agains# "o#s of fie!+e enemies, Be+ause of #he !ofound inf"uen+e of Confu+ianism2 !oe! fo!m and aea!an+e a!e $e!% +!u+ia" #o Vie#namese, ?i#h i#s +ode of e#hi+s and mo!a"s2 Confu+ianism u#s an emhasis on #he so+ie#%
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE hie!a!+h% and a++en#ua#es #he 5o!shi of an+es#o!s, As a ma##e! of fa+#2 O!ien#a" +u"#u!e2 in+"uding #ha# of Vie#nam2 has dignified inang hi"osoh%2 5hi+h high"igh#s #he e!fe+# ha!mon% /e#5een eo"e 5i#h eo"e as 5e"" as eo"e 5i#h na#u!e, In Vie#nam2 Buddhism is #he dominan# !e"igion /esides some o#he! ones, Gene!a""% sea7ing2 Vie#namese eo"e a!e a#!io#i+2 ha!d5o!7ing2 fai#hfu"2 in#!eid2 modes# and se"f+on#!o""ed, As Ngu%en2 M, D 94 s#a#ed2 =Vie#namese +he!ish and uho"d #hei! #ies 5i#h #he as# and #hei! his#o!i+a" he!i#age of 2111 %ea!s of +i$i"i 9, 44, To sum u2 i#@s undenia/"e #ha# #he #5o +oun#!ies2 Vie#nam and G!ea# B!i#ain2 in gene!a"2 do no# sha!e #he same +u"#u!e, The dissimi"a!i#ies a!e ese+ia""% +onsi+uous 5hen i# +omes #o "ifes#%"e and "i$ing +ondi#ion, As 5e ha$e dis+ussed a/o$e2 +u"#u!e has a signifi+an#"% s#!ong inf"uen+e on "anguage and "anguage2 +e!#ain"%2 a+#s as a mi!!o! !ef"e+#ing mos# of #he +u"#u!e, Be+ause of #he "u+id diffe!en+es /e#5een #he #5o +u"#u!es2 i#@s indisu#a/"e #ha# #he!e 5i"" /e "o#s of in#e!es#ing dissimi"a!i#ies 5hen 5e fa#hom and s#ud% #he "anguage uni#s of Eng"ish and Vie#namese2 ese+ia""% idioms, Idio!s" #i!iles and Idio!s of Co!parison Idio!s. Definitions of idioms. Ea+h 5o!d +e!#ain"% has i#s o5n meaning, Ho5e$e!2
5o!ds do no# us# e6is# sea!a#e"% and indi$idua""%2 #he%2 in fa+#2 a"so +ome in g!ous o! e6!essions, Idioms +an /e said #o /e one of #he mos# +ommon e6!essions #ha# one mus# a+;ui!e if heQshe 5an#s #o mas#e! a "anguage, ?ha# is an idiom Ho!n/% 94 s#a#ed in his O6fo!d Ad$an+ed Lea!ne!@s Di+#iona!% #ha# an idiom is =a h!ase o! sen#en+e 5hose meaning is no# +"ea! f!om #he meaning of i#s indi$idua" 5o!ds and
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE 5hi+h mus# /e "ea!n# as a 5ho"e uni#>, In O6fo!d Ad$an+ed Lea!ne!@s Di+#iona!% 93112 Ho!n/% +hanged #he defini#ion a "i##"e /i#2 no#ing #ha# an idiom is =a g!ou of 5o!ds 5hose meaning is diffe!en# f!om #he meanings of #he indi$idua" 5o!ds>, 9, 1, To u# i# in a sim"e 5a%2 an idiom is a h!ase in 5hi+h #he 5o!ds #oge#he! ha$e a meaning #ha# is someho5 diffe!en# f!om #he di+#iona!% defini#ions of #he indi$idua" 5o!ds2 5hi+h +an ma7e idioms a!duous #o unde!s#and, I# shou"d /e 7e# in mind #ha# an idiom is diffe!en#ia#ed f!om a +o""o+a#ion sin+e a +o""o+a#ion is2 a++o!ding #o C!use 942 =a se;uen+e of "e6i+a" i#ems 5hi+h ha/i#ua""% +oo++u! and ea+h "e6i+a" +ons#i#uen# is a"so a seman#i+ +ons#i#uen#, 9, 1, The num/e! of idioms in Eng"ish is +onside!a/"e, Some in#e!es#ing e6am"es a!e: =I# 5as fo! #he /i!ds> 9means: I#@s is !ea""% meaning"ess and unin#e!es#ing2 o! =#o /u!% #he ha#+he#> 9#o ma7e ea+e2 =#o +a"" i# a da%> 9#o s#o doing some#hing2 =#o ain# #he #o5n !ed> 9#o +a!ouse and ha$e a good #ime2 ,,, In Vie#namese2 5e a"so ossess a "o# of idioms2 su+h as: =Ngho !# mUng #i> 9Ve!% oo!2 enni"essK =Ch-+ gW% /Xnh 6e> 9#o !e$en# someone f!om doing some#hing #he% ha$e "annedK =+ao +hY% 6a /a%> 9#o f"ee2 #o !un a5a%K =nZm [X d)u #a%>K =+ao +hY% 6a /a%> 2,, Main features of idioms in English and Vietnamese. Idioms ha$e some
!ema!7a/"% se+ia" fea#u!es, In #his ae!2 "e#@s e6amine #he #5o mos# imo!#an# ones: seman#i+ and s#!u+#u!a" fea#u!es, Semantic features. Vinog!ado5 94 on+e +"e$e!"% "i7ened #he meaning of
an idiom #o =#he se+ia" +hemi+a" mi6#u!e> of #he meaning of a"" #he +omonen#s2 5hi+h is2 no#a/"% and +om"e#e"% ne5 in ;ua"i#%, \us# #a7e an e6am"e #o e"u+ida#e his oin#: =#o gi$e someone #he s"i>2 i# 5ou"d /e ina!o!ia#e #o #!ans"a#e e$e!% 5o!d and unde!s#and #he meaning "i#e!a""% 9one has a s"i and #hen heQshe gi$es i# #o
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE ano#he! e!son, A+#ua""%2 #he meaning is =#o ma7e a ge#a5a%>2 =#o es+ae f!om some one>, The idiom =#o #a7e one@s medi+ine> 9#o a++e#2 a+;uies+e some#hing un"easan# 5i#hou# +om"aining o! !o#es#ing is a"so a good e6am"e, I#s meaning +an no# /e d!a5n ou# if 5e us# /ase on #he +omonen# 5o!ds, No dou/#2 #he !ea" meaning of #he idiom is fa! diffe!en# f!om #ha# of #he se# h!ase, Tha# is #o sa%2 5e ha$e #o #!ans"a#e and in#e!!e# idioms figu!a#i$e"% and me#aho!i+a""%, I#@s ;ui#e u<<"ing #o +om!ehend an $e!% idiom desi#e #he fa+# #ha# 5e ma% 7no5 #he meanings of a"" #hei! +omonen#s, Ho5e$e!2 no# a"" idioms ha$e #hei! meaning +om"e#e"% diffe! f!om #he meaning of a"" #hei! indi$idua" +omonen#s, The!e a!e man% idioms 5hose "i#e!a" meaning and figu!a#i$e one a!e a"mos# iden#i+a", This oin# 5as /u##!essed /% unin2 A,V, 9311 5hen he said #ha# =#he meaning of an idiom is ei#he! a!#"% o! +om"e#e"% diffe!en# f!om #he meaning of a"" +omonen#s,> Fo! e6am"e2 =gi$e and #a7e>2 =as /us% as a /ee>2 =+a# and dog "ife>28?e +an2 mo!e o! "ess2 guess #hei! meanings, The +ase is a"so #!ue in Vie#namese2 5e +an #a7e =+X n]m #!^n #h#> 9#o #a7e g!ea# !is72 =+on _ng +hXu +ha> 9/o!n in#o a 5ea"#h% fami"%2 /o!n 5i#h a si"$e! soon in one`s mou#h o! =n +hXo [X /X#> 9#o !ea% 7indness 5i#h ing!a#i#ude as e6am"es, O/$ious"%2 5e +an no# in#e!!e# #hem "i#e!a""% /u# mus# e!+ei$e #hem as sea!a#e seman#i+ uni#s 5hi+h ha$e figu!a#i$e meanings2 !e$ea"ing #he !ef"e+#ion of #hings and +on+e#s, Ho5e$e!2 #he!e a!e a"so some idioms in Vie#namese 5hi+h ha$e "i#e!a" sense and #hei! meanings +an /e dedu+ed +o!!e+#"% f!om #he +omonen#s, To i""us#!a#e #his oin#2 5e ha$e =+bng nhc [X> 9as ha!d as a s#one2 =[ nhc #!anh> 9as !e##% as a i+#u!e2 =/Xm nhc [a [i> 9#o s#i+7 "i7e a "ime#2 =/Xn #n /Xn nghi> 9ha"f dou/#fu" o! =/X+h hX# /X+h #!ng>2 8,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Se+ond"%2 idioms +an +on$e% osi#i$e2 neu#!a" o! nega#i$e meanings, ?hen i# +omes #o osi#i$e meanings2 5e ma% #a7e =#o ha$e a hea!# of go"d> 9#o /e a good and hones# e!son2 =#o /e in #he in7> 9#o /e $e!% hea"#h%2 =#he f!ui# of some#hing> 9meaning: #he good and sa#isfa+#o!% !esu"# of an a+#i$i#% o! =a "u+7% dog> 9a !ea""% "u+7% e!son as e6am"es, Some e6am"es of idioms 5i#h nega#i$e meanings a!e =a fai!5ea#he!ed f!iend> 9 a f!iend 5ho s#a%s /eside %ou in good #imes2 /u# fo!ge#s a/ou# %ou on+e #hings /e+ome diffi+u"#2 =#o shed +!o+odi"e #ea!s> 9#o !e#end2 ma7e /e"ie$e #ha# one is 5eeing2,,,Some idioms su+h as = in some/od%@s shoes> 9in one@s osi#ion2 =see some#hing 5i#h ha"f an e%e> 9some#hing $e!% eas%2 effo!#"ess #o see o! no#i+e28a!e +onside!ed as idioms 5i#h neu#!a" meanings, In#e!es#ing"%2 some idioms +an ha$e /o#h osi#i$e and nega#i$e meanings2 su+h as =#o #a7e ad$an#age of>, I# +an mean =#o ma7e use of an oo!#uni#%> 9osi#i$e meaning2 o! =#o e6"oi#2 #o ma7e use of some/od% o! some#hing in an dishones# 5a%> 9nega#i$e meaning, Structural features. Idioms a!e +ommon"% said #o /e #he =se#e6!essions>2
5hi+h means #ha# 5e +an no# add2 omi# o! f!ee"% su/s#i#u#e #he +omonen#s in an idiom 5i#hou# ad$e!se"% inf"uen+ed i#s me#aho!i+a" meaning o! e$en imai!ing i#, Ano#he! 5a% #o sa%2 #he +omonen#s of idioms +an@# /e $a!ied o! sim"% modified in #he 5a% 5e of#en do 5i#h "i#e!a" and no!ma" e6!essions, This is #!ue /o#h in sea7ing o! 5!i#ing2 /o#h in Eng"ish and Vie#namese, Fo! e6am"e: =+hu# sa +hjnh gYo> 9#o ge# a 5indfa""2 =+X +hWu +him "kng>2 =+him sa +X "ln>2,,,2 o! = hi# #he ha%> 9go #o /ed2 =/i#e #he /u""e!> 9unde!go a diffi+u"#2 un"easan# si#ua#ion2 =/u! % #he ha#+he#> 9ma7e ea+e, Ce!#ain"%2 if 5e sim"% +hange #hem #o =hi# #he g!ass> o! =/u!% #he a6e>2 #he% a!e no# idioms an% mo!e, In addi#ion2 5e +an no# #!ansfo!m an idiom in#o assi$e fo!m2 ese+ia""% 5hen i#@s u#i"i
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Se+ond"%2 idioms +an $e!% diffe! a# "eng#h, Tha#@s i!!efu#a/"% !igh#2 ese+ia""% 5hen i# +omes #o Eng"ish idioms, ?e ha$e man% idioms 5hi+h us# ha$e one o! #5o 5o!ds2 fo! e6am"e: ="emon> 9some#hing defe+#i$e o! =fish%> 9susi+ious and s#!ange2 =ho!se a!ound> 9"a% a!ound2 =on i+e> 9#o se# aside fo! fu#u!e use28?e a"so ha$e #hose idioms 5hi+h a!e ;ui#e "ong2 su+h as =ge# u on #he 5!ong side of #he /ed> 95a7e u in /ad mood2 o! =eo"e 5ho "i$e in g"ass houses shou"dn@# #h!o5 s#ones> 9one shou"d no# +!i#i+i2 =a "u+7% dog>2 =+!o+odi"e #ea!s>2 =a /ad a"e>2 =a s#o!m in a #ea +u>2,,2 $e!/ h!ases 9=7ee some#hing unde! one@s ha#>2 =fa+e #he musi+>2 =/i#e #he /u""e#@28 o! !eosi#iona" h!ases 9 =in #he ho"e>2 =on i+e>2 =u one@s s"ee$e>2,,, Mo!eo$e!2 idioms +an ha$e !egu"a! s#!u+#u!es 9#he ones 5hose meanings 5e +an no# easi"% guess2 i!!egu"a! s#!u+#u!es 9#hose 5hi+h ha$e un+on$en#iona" fo!ms /u# meanings +an /e dedu+ed f!om #he +omonen#s o! some#imes2 g!amma#i+a""% in+o!!e+# s#!u+#u!es, T%i+a" e6am"es of #he "as# #%e a!e =#o go #h!ough #hi+7 and #hin>2 =#o /e a# "a!ge> 2 o! =#o /e good f!iends 5i#h some/od%>28 The% a!e 5ide"% a++e#ed desise #he im!oe! s#!u+#u!es, A"" in a""2 f!om #he oin#s gi$en a/o$e2 i#@s +"ea! #ha# a"#hough Eng"ish idioms and Vie#namese idioms ma% no# #o#a""% simi"a! he!e and #he!e2 #he +ommon g!ound is #ha# #he% a!e a"mos# fi6ed and figu!a#i$e e6!essions and oe!a#e as seman#i+ uni#s 5hi+h is defini#e"% un+hangea/"e, To ma7e i# su++in+#2 #he% a!e no#a/"% se+ia" /e+ause of #hei! seman#i+ uni#%2 s#!u+#u!a" s#a/i"i#% and me#aho!i+a" meanings,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
Differences between idioms and proverbs, Definitions of proverbs, I#@s ne+essa!% #o send some #ime dis#inguishing
idioms f!om !o$e!/s, A"#hough man% eo"e /e"ie$e #he /ounda!% /e#5een #hem is $e!% 5ea7 and un+"ea!2 i#@s indisu#a/"e #ha# #he!e shou"d /e some "ausi/"e and signifi+an# oin#s 5hi+h +an someho5 #e"" #hem aa!#, ?ha# is a !o$e!/ A++o!ding #o O6fo!d Ad$an+ed Lea!ne!@s Di+#iona!% 93112 a !o$e!/ is =a 5e""7no5n h!ase o! sen#en+e #ha# gi$es ad$i+e o! sa%s some#hing #ha# is gene!a""% #!ue>, Fo! e6am"e: =Don@# u# a"" %ou! eggs in one /as7e#>2 = ?as#e no#2 5an# no#>28 Vu Ngo+ Phan 931112 a!#i+u"a!"% +onside!ed a !o$e!/ as =a +om"e#e sa%ing e6!essing one idea of +ommen#2 e6e!ien+e2 mo!a"i#%2 us#i+e o! +!i#i+ism>,9, 0, Some Vie#namese !o$e!/s a!e =Ng-# mW# +h# !uki>2 =+on + +ha nhc nh + n+>2 =hZ $ua #hua " "ng>2 =no n^n /p#2 [i !a ma>2 8 Similarities between idioms and proverbs. In no un+e!#ain #e!ms2 5e +an find
some simi"a!i#ies /e#5een idioms and !o$e!/s, Fi!s#"%2 idioms and !o$e!/s +on$en#iona""% em"o% "anguage me#aho!i+a""%, Tha# is #he !eason 5h% i#@s a!duous #o dis+o$e! #hei! #!ue meanings us# /% "oo7ing u a"" #he indi$idua" 5o!ds in a di+#iona!% , No# on"% idioms /u# a"so !o$e!/s a!e =se#e6!essions> 5hose meanings meanings +an no# /e easi"% infe!!ed f!om #hei! +omonen#s /u# mus# /e unde!s#ood as a 5ho"e, Gene!a""%2 5e +an no# add2 omi# o! !e"a+e an% +omonen#s of an idiom o! a !o$e!/ /e+ause #ha# 5i"" ine$i#a/"% !esu"# in un5an#ed +hanges in #he meaning of #he 5ho"e g!ou2 ma7ing #hem "ose #hei! figu!a#i$e meanings,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Mo!eo$e!2 idioms and !o$e!/s a!e #he =f!ui#> of human@s #hin7ing2 +u"#u!es and e6e!ien+es a++umu"a#ed f!om #he !o+esses of "a/o!ious 5o!7ing2 dis+o$e!ing and "ea!ning, Bo#h of #hem a!e !ima!i"% assed a"ong f!om gene!a#ion #o gene!a#ion, Differences between idioms and proverbs. The!e a!e some oin#s #ha# +an
he" us dis#inguish idioms f!om !o$e!/s, Se+ifi+a""%2 !o$e!/s a!e sho!# /u# ou"a! h!ases o! sen#en+es 5hi+h e6!ess a udgemen#2 gi$e usefu" ad$i+e o! !e$ea" a mo!a" o! emi!i+a" #!u#h a/ou# "ife, The% a!e 5ide"% e$a"ua#ed #o ha$e #h!ee mao! fun+#ions: edu+a#iona" fun+#ion2 e!+e#i$e fun+#ion and fina""%2 aes#he#i+ fun+#ion, Idioms2 on #he o#he! hand2 main"% ha$e #he fun+#ions of naming2 dei+#ing #hings2 !oe!#ies o! $a!ious henomena28In gene!a"2 #he% don@# ass udgemen#s2 offe! ad$i+e o! s#a#e #he uni$e!sa" #!u#h, Ano#he! 5a% #o sa%2 idioms !a!e"% ha$e e!+e#i$e and edu+a#iona" fun+#ions, In addi#ion2 5e +an diffe!en#ia#e !o$e!/s f!om i dioms /% e6amining #hei! g!amma#i+a" s#!u+#u!es, ?hi"e !o$e!/s a!e +om"e#e h!ases o! sen#en+es #ha# +an +on$e% a 5ho"e idea 9fo! ins#an#2 =?he!e #he!e is a 5i""2 #he!e is a 5a%>2 idioms a!e us# h!ases 5hi+h se!$e as a!#s of sen#en+es 9eg2 =sme"" a !a#>2 =on i+e>28, A+#ua""%2 idioms a!e +ommensu!a#e #o 5o!ds on"%, In a nu#she""2 a"#hough !o$e!/s and idioms ha$e a "o# of #hings in +ommon2 #he% +an /e dis#inguished f!om ea+h o#he! 5hen i# +omes #o fun+#ions and s#!u+#u!es, #i!iles. Definitions of similes. Among man% figu!es of see+h2 simi"es aea! #o /e
#he sim"es# one, The!e a!e "en#% of defini#ions of simi"es, A++o!ding #o O6fo!d Ad$an+ed Lea!ne!@s Di+#iona!% 93112 simi"e is =9#he use of a 5o!d o! h!ase #ha# +oma!es some#hing #o some#hing e"se2 using #he 5o!ds "i7e o! as>, In Ame!i+an He!i#age Co""ege Di+#iona!% 942 simi"e is defined as =a figu!e of see+h in 5hi+h
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE #5o essen#ia""% un"i7e #hings is e6"i+i#"% +oma!ed2 usua""% /% means of "i7e o! as> 9, 431, Those defini#ions a/o$e !ea""% he" us #o ha$e +e!#ain 7no5"edge of su+h an in#e!es#ing figu!e of see+h, Gene!a""%2 simi"e in$o"$es a +"ea! +oma!ison /e#5een #5o un"i7e en#i#ies, The !esem/"an+e is usua""% indi+a#ed /% #he use of ="i7e>2 =as> o! =#han>2 fo! e6am"e: =as 5hi#e as sno5>2 =as +o"d as i+e>2 =as ang!% as a 5as>2 =#o +!% "i7e a /a/%>2 ="ife is "i7e a ou!ne%>28In Vie#namese2 simi"es a!e found #o ma7e use of #he 5o!ds =nhc>2 =/]ng>2 =#qa>2 =/]ng>, The!e a!e am"e e6am"es fo! #his2 su+h as =' nhc #i^n>2 =6)u nhc ma>2 =[en nhc #han>2 =#!rng nhc #u%#>2 =h-+ #h% 7h_ng #% h-+ /Yn>2 =/ao nhi^u #)+ [)# #)+ $ng /)% nhi^u>28, Li7e nume!ous o#he! #%es of figu!a#i$e "anguage2 simi"e is !egu"a!"% in 5!i##en2 so7en as 5e"" as dai"% "anguage, I# indisu#a/"% ma7es "anguage mo!e $i$id"% s%m/o"i+ and +om!ehensi/"e, \us# ha$e a g"an+e a# some simi"es u#i"i, 9=Romeo and \u"ie#> Sha7esea!e =Da5n /!ea7s oen "i7e a 5ound #ha# /"eeds af!esh> 9?i"f!ed O5en =Np +cti ai #!rng nhc ha "^ T!rng 6oX /^n 7ia $Ung #!ti Phan Thi#> 9B+h h^ =Ting sui #!ong nhc #ing hX# 6a> 9=Cvnh 7hu%a> Hk Ch Minh In e$e!%da% see+h2 e$e!%one 9of +ou!se in+"uding Vie#namese and Eng"ish u#i"i, Simi"e is2 #hen2 seeming"% a $a"ua/"e =/!idge> /e#5een in#e!"o+u#o!s, In fa+#2 #he!e a!e man% 5a%s #o +"assif% simi"es2 /u# #he easies# 5a% ma% /e #he one #ha# s"i#s simi"es in#o #5o +a#ego!ies: e6"i+i# simi"es and im"i+i# ones, The
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE e6"i+i# simi"es a!e #hose 5hi+h u#i"i #o ma7e +oma!ison, 9fo! e6am"e: =as ha!m"ess as a do$e>, On #he o#he! hand2 an im"i+i# simi"e is #he one ma7ing use of #he 5o!d ="i7e> #o fo!m #he +oma!ison 9 #o s"ee "i7e a /a/%, A simi"e ma% seem #o /e nea!"% simi"a! #o a me#aho!2 %e# #he% a!e diffe!en# in some 5a%s, Though /o#h of #hem +oma!e one o/e+# 5i#h ano#he!2 5hi"e a me#aho! on"% ma7es im"i+i# +oma!ison 9eg2 =He is a "ion2 a simi"e +an ese+ia""% ma7e #he i# e6"i+i# and oen 9eg2 =He is as /!a$e as a "ion>, Main features of similes. I#@s eas% #o see #ha# in a simi"e2 an o/e+# is
e6"i+i#"% o! im"i+i#"% +oma!ed 5i#h ano#he! and #he% a!e +onne+#ed /% #he 5o!ds ="i7e>2 =as>2 =nhc>2 o! =/]ng>28,The in#e!es#ing oin# is #ha# #hose o/e+#s +oma!ed in a simi"es no!ma""% don@# /e"ong #o #he same seman#i+ +"ass, Ano#he! 5a% #o sa%2 #he% a!e +on$en#iona""% in+oma!a/"e, Fo! ins#an+e2 a e!son +an /e /!ough# in#o +oma!ison 5i#h an anima" o! a #hing, The "in+hin "ies in #he fa+# #ha# a"" simi"es !e;ui!e a sha!ed fea#u!e fo! #he #hings #ha# a!#i+ia#e in fo!ming #he +oma!ison, Be"o5 is some i""us#!a#i$e e6am"es: = \ohn is as g!eed% as a ig,> O/$ious"%2 \ohn and a ig do no# /e"ong #o #he same seman#i+ g!ou as one is human 5hi"e #he o#he! is an anima", Bu# as \ohn is g!eed% and so is a ig2 #he!e eme!ges a oin# of simi"a!% 5hi+h +an "in7 #hem #oge#he!, Tha#@s #he sha!ed e"emen# /e#5een #he #5o, In #he simi"e =Ma!% s5ims "i7e a fish>2 #he a+#ion of =s5imming> of a 5oman is g!ahi+a""% +oma!ed 5i#h #ha# of a fish, Sin+e Ma!% s5ims $e!% 5e"" and a fish is2 of +ou!se2 e6+e""en# a# s5imming in #he 5a#e!2 #he!e aea!s a sha!ed e"emen# #ha# ma7es #he +oma!ison "ausi/"e and meaningfu",
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE F!om #he ana"%sis a/o$e2 5e +an +ome #o a +on+"usion #ha# a simi"e +onsis#s of #h!ee ne+essa!% fa+#o!s, The% a!e: #oi+ 9#he #hing #ha# is /eing #a"7ed a/ou#2 image 9#he #hing #ha# is +oma!ed and signifi+an#"%2 #he oin# of simi"a!i#%, As in #he e6am"e =\ohn is as g!eed% as a ig>2 =\ohn> is #he #oi+2 #he ig is2 +"ea!"%2 #he image and = #o /e g!eed%> is #he oin# of simi"a!i#% +onne+#ing #he #oi+ and image #oge#he!, Foundation of similes. As men#ioned a/o$e2 #he!e is no a"#e!+a#ion a/ou#
#he fa+# #ha# a simi"e needs a sha!ed e"emen# fo! #he #5o o/e+#s +oma!ed, Simi"a!i#% in +ha!a+#e! /e#5een #he o/e+#s #ha# in$o"$e in #he +oma!ison is +onside!ed #o /e #he =founda#ion of simi"e>, Su+h simi"a!i#ies a!e usua""% found in ;ua"i#%2 aea!an+e and /eha$iou! o! demeano!, The ;ua"i#% +an /e in#e!!e#ed as good2 /ad2 +oo"2 ho#2 +o"d2 +unning2 gen#"e28Fo! e6am"e: =as +o"d as i+e> o! ="Ynh nhc /ng> in Vie#namese, Simi"a!i#ies in aea!an+e +an /e #ha# of shae2 measu!emen# of #he iden#i#ies and e$en +o"o! 95hi#e2 !ed2 /"a+728, ?e ha$e =as /"a+7 as +!o5> in Eng"ish o! =[en nhc ;uY>2 = [w nhc mXu> in Vie#namese, ?e ha$e "o#s of simi"es 5hen i# +omes #o simi"a!i#ies in /eha$iou! o! a+#ions su+h as =#o s5im "i7e a fish>2 =#o figh# "i7e a "ion>2 =!un "i7e a +hee#ah>2 =+!% "i7e a /a/%>2 =ni nhc sXo>2 =7h+ nhc mca>28, Idio!s of co!parison. Definition. As 5e +an see2 simi"es a!e used $e!% ou"a!"% and /!i""ian#"% in
"o#s of ase+#s and $a!ious fie"ds in ou! "ife, ?e +an =+a#+h sigh# of> #hem $e!% of#en in dai"% "anguage2 so7en "anguage as 5e"" as in 5!i##en one2 ese+ia""% "i#e!a#u!e 9in+"uding !ose2 oe#!%2 fo"7songs28, Simi"es !ea""% he" #he hea!e!s o! !eade!s e6e!ien+e2 imagine #he in#ense and g!ahi+ i+#u!es o! emo#ions, *#i"i2 !esu"#ing in su++essfu"
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE and +ome#en# +ommuni+a#ion, In#e!es#ing"%2 5e +an a"so find simi"es in idioms and !o$e!/s 5i#h me#aho!i+a" meanings, Se+ifi+a""%2 idioms 5i#h simi"es a!e +a""ed =idioms of +oma!ison> o! some#imes2 +oma!a#i$e idioms, In fa+#2 #he!e is a "a!ge num/e! of idioms of +oma!isons in /o#h Eng"ish and Vie#namese, Some good e6am"es a!e: =as fai! as a !ose>2 =as oo! as a +hu!+h mouse>2 =as s"o5 as a snai">2 =as !e##% as a i+#u!e>2 =as sha! as a !a2 =#o +! % "i7e a /a/%>2 =#o sha7e "i7e a "eaf>28 In Vie#namese2 5e ha$e =+bng nhc [X>2 =[ nhc #i^n>2 =d& nhc #!x /n #a%>2 =#o nhc $oi>2 =!y nhc /o>2 =!un nhc +% s)%>28 Features of comparative idioms. Idioms of +oma!ison ha$e man% fea#u!es
#ha# a!e #he same as #hose of idioms and simi"es, Fi!s#"%2 a +oma!a#i$e idiom +an /e +onside!ed #o /e a =fi6ed g!ou of 5o!ds in+"uding a +oma!ison 5i#h figu!a#i$e2 s%m/o"i+ meaning>, I# shou"d /e 7e# in mind #ha# idioms of +oma!ison a!e simi"es2 /u# no# a"" simi"es a!e +oma!a#i$e idioms, Se+ond"%2 a"#hough #he% a!e idioms 5i#h figu!a#i$e images2 i#@s no# s#!enuous #o figu!e ou# #hei! meanings #h!ough #he +omonen#s, Fo! ins#an#2 i#@s e6#!eme"% eas% #o unde!s#and #hese idioms of +oma!ison: =as +o"d as i+e> 9$e!% +o"d2 f!igid2 =as /us% as a /ee> 9$e!% /us%2 u #o #he ne+7 5i#h 5o!72 =$ui nhc ##> 9 $e!% me!!%2 ha%2 +hee!%2 =+hY% nhc ma [uzi> 9!un $e!% fas#28 Identification of idioms of comparison. The!e a!e a fe5 5a%s #o iden#if%
idioms of +oma!ison, Be"o5 a!e #5o seeming"% +ommon 5a%s: Iden#ifi+a#ion /ased on +omonen# 5o!ds o! h!ases and /ased on s#!u+#u!es2 mo!e se+ifi+a""%2 g!amma#i+a" s#!u+#u!es, Based on component words and phrases. ?e ha$e #h!ee sma""e! +ases:
{ Coma!isons 5i#h ade+#i$es: AS { Ade+#i$e { AS { 9aQanQ#he {Noun
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
Fo! ins#an#: As /"a+7 as midnigh# As /o"d as a "ion 9$e!% /!a$e2 +ou!ageous As +hangea/"e as #he 5ea#he! Q #he moon As +"ea! as #he nose on %ou! fa+e 9o/$ious and $e!% +"ea! As d!% as a s#i+7 As eas% as ABC As dum/ as a fish As inno+en# as a do$e As "oud as #hunde! As me!!% as a +!i+7e# As sou! as $inega! I#@s /e%ond dou/# #ha# #he oin# of simi"a!i#% is s#a#ed ou# $e!% e6"i+i#"% and "u+id"%, ?hen i# +omes #o Vie#namese2 5e a"so ha$e #his +ase2 in s#ead of using =as8as> 5e usua""% ma7e use of =nhc>2 fo! e6am"e: ='en nhc mq+>2 =#ci nhc hoa@2 =nhY# nhc nc+ +>2 =nh nhc "_ng hkng>2 =d nhc ;u|>28 { Coma!isons 5i#h $e!/s: Ve!/ { LIE { aQanQ#he { Noun This 7ind of +oma!ison is said #o /e im"i+i#2 %e# i#@s no# ha!d #o in#e!!e# #he meaning of #he 5ho"e +oma!a#i$e idioms, ?i#h sim"e and +ommon $e!/s used in #he s#!u+#u!e2 #he use!s d!a5 a##en#ion #o #he a+#ions o! demeano! of #he su/e+#s, I#@s no# a!duous #o find +oma!a#i$e idioms of #his 7ind /o#h in Eng"ish and Vie#namese, Fo! e6am"e: =#o s"ee "i7e a "og>2 =#o smo7e "i7e a +himne%>2 =#o send mone% "i7e
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE 5a#e!>2 =#o se""Qgo "i7e ho# +a7es>2 =n nhc mo>2 =7h+ nhc mca>2 =!un nhc +% s)%>2,, { Mis+e""aneous +oma!isons 9Ve!/ { LIEQ AS { +"ause 9S {V{8 9Ve!/ { LIEQ AS { noun h!ase 9Ve!/ { LIEQ AS { $e!/ h!ase E6am"es of #his a!e no# as a/undan# as #hose of #he o#he! 7indsK ho5e$e!2 #he% a!e em"o%ed $e!% of#en in !ea"i#%2 su+h as: = #o /e "i7e a /u"" in a +hina sho>2 =#o ha$e a memo!% "i7e an e"ehan#>2 =9#o go a# a snai"@s a+e>2 =nhc hYn gl mca !o>2 =#i}n $o nh 7h nhc gi $o nh #!ng>2 =n nhc !kng +un2 ni nhc !kng "eo2 "m nhc mo m~a>2 =/Zo nhc +him !a !ng>28 The!e is ano#he! 5a% #o +"assif% idioms of +oma!ison 5hi+h main"% /ases on g!amma#i+a" s#!u+#u!e, As men#ioned in =A s#ud% on me#aho! and simi"e in Eng"ish idioms and Vie#namese e;ui$a"en#s> 9 Dang2 31412 , 2 if 5e fo""o5 #his 5a% of +"assifi+a#ion2 #he!e eme!ges #h!ee main +ases: Eng"ish idioms
Vie#namese idioms
{As A as B
A nhc B
E6: as /"a+7 as +oa"
E6: [en nhc #han
{Li7eQas B
nhc B
E6: Li7e #5o eas in a od
E6: nhc hai gi-# nc+
{C "i7eQas B
C nhc B
E6: To ea# "i7e a ig
E6: •n nhc "€n
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Idio!s of Co!parison in $nglish and ietna!ese: Contrasti%e Anal&sis #i!ilarities of Idio!s of Co!parison in $nglish and ietna!ese The general features. ?he#he! in Eng"ish and Vie#namese2 idioms of
+oma!ison ha$e /een +onside!ed #o /e a $e!% eng!ossing #oi+ 5hi+h has in#!igued "o#s "inguis#s,The num/e! of #his 7ind of idioms a!e +oma!a#i$e"% "a!ge in /o#h Eng"ish and Vie#namese, In es#ima#ion2 #he!e a!e a!o6ima#e"% 11 of #hem in ea+h "anguage, Coma!a#i$e idioms a!e u#i"i of ea+h +oun#!% is g!a+ious"% and #!u#hfu""% !e$ea"ed2 he"ing us unde!s#and a "o# mo!e a/ou# #he "ifes#%"es and $ie5oin#s of #hose eo"e 5ho "i$e fa! 5a% f!om us, Coincidences in translation, As 5e ha$e dis+ussed in #he !e$ious a!#s2 no
+u"#u!e is +om"e#e"% iso"a#ed and uni;ue, Peo"e of $a!ious +u"#u!es +an some#imes sha!e #he same 5a%s of #hin7ing and $ie5ing in some ma##e!s, Tha# ma% !esu"# in #he sha!ed /io"ogi+a" and +u"#u!a" fea#u!es 5hi+h a!e usua""% !efe!!ed as =/io"ogi+a" and +u"#u!a" uni$e!sa"s>, Tha#@s #o sa%2 a"#hough Vie#namese +u"#u!e and Eng"ish +u"#u!e a!e !ema!7a/"% diffe!en# f!om ea+h o#he!2 #he!e s#i"" e6is#s some +ases in 5hi+h #he 5a%s of o/se!$ing #he 5o!"d of #he #5o eo"es a!e so simi"a!, Vie#namese eo"e and Eng"ish eo"e +an a# #imes e6!ess +on+e#s and ideas in #he same 5a%s, Tha# !ef"e+#s in "anguage and a"so in idioms of +oma!ison, In fa+#2 man% +oma!a#i$e idioms in Eng"ish ha$e #he e6a+# e;ui$a"en#s in Vie#namese, Be"o5 a!e some e6am"es i""us#!a#ing fo! #hose in#e!es#ing +oin+iden+es: E6: Idioms of +oma!ison in:
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Eng"ish
Vie#namese
As /"a+7 as +oa"
'en nhc #han
As /"a+7 as +!o5
'en nhc ;uY
As /!igh# as da%
SXng nhc /an ng%
As /!ief as a d!eam
Ngrn nhc m# gi)+ mng
As /!i""ian# as s#a!s
SXng nhc sao
As +o"d as i+e
LYnh nhc [XQ/ng
As fie!+e as a #ige!
D nhc +-
As fi!m as !o+7
Vng nhc [X
As f"ee# as #he 5ind
Nhanh nhc gi
As f!esh a !ose
Tci nhc hoa
As g!een as a "eaf
‚anh nhc #u "X
As hea$% as an e"ehan#
Nlng nhc $oi
As ha!d as a s#one
Cbng nhc [X
As hea$% as "ead
Nlng nhc +h(
As ho# as fi!e
Nng nhc "~a
As 7een as a !a
Sr+ nhc dao
As "igh# as do5n
Nh nhc "_ng hkng
As "igh# as a fea#he!
Nh nhc "_ng hkng
As !e##% as a i+#u!e
' nhc #!anh
As ;ui+7 as "igh#ning
Nhanh nhc +h
As !ed as /"ood
'w nhc mXu
As sha! as a !a
Sr+ nhc dao +Yo
As sou! as $inega!
Chua nhc gi)m
As s#in7 as a o"e+a#
H_i nhc +hkn
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
As s5if# as "igh#ning
Nhanh nhc +h
As smoo#h as $e"$e#
Mc€# nhc nhung
As s"o5 as a snai"
ChWm nhc + s^n
As s5if# as an a!!o5
Nhanh nhc #^n /rn
As s#ead% as !o+7
Cbng nhc [X
As #imid as a ha!e
NhX# nhc #hw [
As #hi+7 as an#s
Nhi}uQ[_ng nhc 7in
As #!ansa!en# as g"ass
T!ong su# nhc #hƒ% #inh
As %e""o5 as saff!on
Vng nhc ngh
As 5e# as a d!o5ned mouse
„# nhc +hu# "#
As 5hi#e as sno5
T!rng nhc #u%#
As 5hi#e as a shee#
Nhc #t gi)% #!rng
To figh# "i7e +a# and dog
To s#i+7 "i7e a "ee+h
To +!% "i7e a /a/%
To fo""o5 "i7e a shado5
Theo nhc h(nh $i /ng
To s#i+7 "i7e g"ue
Dnh nhc 7eo
To s5im "i7e a fish
Bi nhc +X
Nhc +h $i mo BXm dai nhc [a h+ nhc [ba #!y
888888, As 5e +an see2 #he!e a!e "o#s of Eng"ish idioms of +oma!ison 5hi+h ha$e e6a+# e;ui$a"en#s in Vie#namese "anguage +on+e!ning no# on"% meaning /u# a"so $o+a/u"a!%, In no un+e!#ain #e!ms2 su+h +oin+iden# +ases someho5 ma7e #!ans"a#ion a "i##"e /i# easie!,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Dissi!ilarities of Idio!s of Co!parison in $nglish and ietna!ese
As 5e ha$e dis+ussed in a!# I2 +u"#u!e a"5a%s has a huge amoun# of inf"uen+e on "anguage2 5hi+h is2 on i#s a!#2 mu+h "i7e a mi!!o! #!u#hfu""% !ef"e+#ing mos# of +u"#u!e, Eng"ish and Vie#namese +u"#u!es a!e no# +oma!a#i$e"% #he same, In fa+#2 #he!e a!e "o#s of dissimi"a!i#ies /e#5een #hem, Diffe!en+es in +u"#u!e indu/i#a/"% en#ai" diffe!en+es in "anguage2 in+"uding idioms of +oma!ison, I!ages co!pared are different but the sa!e !eanings. ?e +an find "o#s
of Eng"ish and Vie#namese idioms of +oma!ison 5hi+h ha$e simi"a! meanings /u# u#i"i of "a/ou!ing eo"e #h!ough #he !o+ess of 5o!7ing2 dis+o$e!ing and +!ea#ing2 #he% a"so +a!!% 5i#h #hem #he #!a+es of 5e#!i+e ag!i+u"#u!e, In e$e!%da% "ife2 Vie#namese eo"e usua""% ha$e #o do 5i#h diffe!en# #oo"s and anima"s #ha# effe+#i$e"% se!$e #hei! fa!ming, Conse;uen#"% and eas% #o unde!s#and2 5hen ma7ing and using +oma!a#i$e idioms2 #he% of#en #a7e #hose fami"ia! #hings in#o +oma!ison, Fo! ins#an#2 #he image of =/uffa"oes> 5as ese+ia""% fami"ia! #o Vie#namese in #he as#, As a s#!ong2 "a/o!ious2 amena/"e domes#i+a#ed anima"2 /uffa"oes a!e +onside!ed #o /e good +omanions of fa!me!s and some#imes2 an indi+a#ion of e!sona" 5ea"#h, ea! /% %ea!2 #he% "ough add% fie"ds and 5o!7 $e!% ha!d #o assis# fa!me!s effe+#i$e"%, The image of a /uffa"o #ende! si##ing on a /uffa"o@s /"a+7 /a+7 and hai"% f"u#ing in a /!ee<% af#e!noon has /e+ome s%m/o"i+ of a ea+efu" and id%""i+ !u!a" "ife, Fo! Vie#namese eo"e2 =/uffa"o> is a s%m/o" of s#!eng#h2 #oi" and di"igen+e, Tha#@s #he !eason 5h% 5hen men#ioning someone 5ho is $e!% mus+u"a! and !o/us#2 Vie#namese eo"e usua""% sa% =7hwe nhc #!…u>, Besides #ha#2 5e a"so
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE ha$e =+q+ nhc #!…u>2 =[en nhc #!…u>28The image of /uffa"oes o! =#!…u> +an a"so /e found is man% fo"7songs2 sa%ings and !o$e!/s2 su+h as =Con #!…u " [u + nghi>K =T!…u 7hwe +h†ng "o +% #!ca>K =T!…u i #a /vo #!…u n%2 #!…u n no +w #!…u +% $i #a2 8>, On #he o#he! hand2 5hen #a"7ing a/ou# s#!eng#h2 Eng"ish eo"e2 5i#h nomadi+ +u"#u!e2 usua""% sa% =as s#!ong as a ho!se>, I#@s /e+ause #ha# =ho!se> is mu+h mo!e fami"ia!2 in#ima#e #o #hem, In Eng"ish +u"#u!e2 ho!ses a!e su+h $e!sa#i"e and se+ia" anima"s, Being $e!% s#!ong2 "o%a" and $igo!ous2 #he% a!e used in 5a!s2 figh#ing2 in #!anso!#a#ion and en#e!#ainmen# and e$en in fa!ming 5o!7, If a e!son is !ea""% s#u!d% and ene!ge#i+2 he shou"d /e "i7ened #o a ho!se, Ce!#ain"%2 #ha# Eng"ish eo"e use =ho!ses> in +oma!a#i$e idioms does no# mean #ha# =/uffa"oes> a!e no# s#!ong in #hei! mind, I#@s us# /e+ause of diffe!en+es in +u"#u!e #ha# of#en "ead #o dissimi"a!i#ies in "anguage, Simi"a!"%2 #a7e =as gen#"e as a "am/> and =hi}n nhc +ƒ 7hoai> in#o +onside!a#ion, As a ma##e! of fa+#2 "am/ is fa! mo!e fami"ia! #o Eng"ish eo"e #han i#@s #o Vie#namese eo"e, Con$e!se"%2 =7hoai> 9s5ee# o#a#oes 5hi+h a!e +u"#i$a#ed and used as a 7ind of food2 is one +ommon !odu+# of e$e!% Vie#namese fami"%, In addi#ion2 #he image of =d!agon> is $e!% o5e!fu"2 dis#in+#2 $i$id and e$en sa+!ed in Vie#namese eo"e@s imagina#ion, The +oma!ison =n nhc !kng +un> is u#i"i, The!e a!e man% o#he! +ases in 5hi+h Eng"ish and Vie#namese idioms2 desi#e ha$ing simi"a! meaning2 use diffe!en# images of +oma!ison, Be"o5 a!e some i""us#!a#ions:
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
Eng"ish +oma!a#i$e idioms
Vie#namse +oma!a#i$e idioms
As dum/ as a s#a#ue
C…m nhc hn
As eas% as ABC
D& nhc #!x /n #a%
As eas% as ie
D& nhc #!x /n #a%
As eas% as an%#hing
D& nhc #!x /n #a%
As smoo#h as /u##e!
Mc€# nhc nhung
As !ound as a /a!!e"
T!‡n nhc ;uv /ng
As a"e as a ghos#
‚anh nhc #u "X
As sof# as 5a6
M}m nhc /n
As me!!% as a +!i+7e#
Vui nhc ##
As +hee!fu" as #he /i!ds
Vui nhc ##
As g"ad as a f"%
Vui nhc ##
As da!7 as midnigh#
Ti nhc [^m /a mci
As "a<% as a "i
Lcti nhc hƒi
As s#!ong as a ho!se
hwe nhc #!…u
As !ed as "is#i+7
'w nhc g)+
As +"ose as he!!ings
Chl# nhc n^m
As sound"% as a "og
Sa% nhc +h# 9ngƒ
As +o"d as ma!/"e
LYnh nhc #i}n
As +o"d as i+e
LYnh nhc #i}n
As d!% as a /one
h_ nhc ngi
As si"en# as #he dead
Im "lng nhc #t
As #hin as finge!
G% nhc / 6cng
As 5ea7 as a 7i##en
u nhc s^n
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
As /"a+7 as #he a+e of sades
'en nhc +# nh +hX%
Li7e ho# +a7e
'r# nhc #_m #ci 9/u_n /Xn
8888888,, Those dissimi"a!i#ies a!e #he ine$i#a/"e !esu"# of diffe!en# +u"#u!es2 "i$ing
+ondi#ion as 5e"" as 5a%s of #hin7ing2 o/se!$ing and in#e!!e#ing #he 5o!"d, As 5e +an see2 some +on+e#s a!e o/$ious"% dis#in+# in a +e!#ain !egion o! +u"#u!e2 5hi+h ma7es i# easie! #o e6"ain #he un"i7eness in "anguage and a!#i+u"a!"%2 in idioms, Fo! ins#an#2 in o"d da%s2 =i+e2 ABC2 /u##e!28> a!e ;ui#e s#!ange #o Vie#namese eo"e us# as =/n2 mkng #i2 hn2 ngi2 g)+2 #!…u2 nhung28> #o eo"e in Eng"and, This shou"d /e aid a##en#ion 5hen i# +omes #o #!ans"a#ion and #ea+hing, #a!e i!ages of co!parison but different !eanings. Peo"e of diffe!en#
+u"#u!e +an ha$e diffe!en# oin#s of $ie5, Some o/e+#s2 anima"s o! henomena some#imes +an /e found in /o#h na#ions2 /o#h +u"#u!es2 /u# #he% +an /e asso+ia#ed 5i#h osi#i$e meanings in one +u"#u!e and nega#i$e meanings in #he o#he!, Tha# easi"% e6"ains 5h% #he!e a!e man% idioms of +oma!ison 5hi+h ha$e #he same +oma!a#i$e images /u# e6!ess diffe!en# meanings in Eng"ish and Vie#namese, An e6+e""en# e6am"e is =as good as go"d>, In Eng"ish2 #his +oma!a#i$e idiom is usua""% used #o indi+a#e a +hi"d o! an adu"# 5ho is 5e""/eha$ed2 de+o!ous and $e!% dis+i"ined, Diffe!en#"%2 Vie#namese eo"e of#en sa% =T# nhc $ng> #o men#ion a #hing o! o/e+# 5hi+h has $e!% good ;ua"i#% , In fa+#2 no/od% 5ou"d use =## nhc $ng> #o #a"7 a/ou# a e!son, Ano#he! i""us#!a#ion is =as /!igh# as da%> and =!ˆ nhc /an ng%>, In !ea"i#%2 Eng"ish eo"e =as /!igh# as da%> #o des+!i/e #he good2 sunshin% and +"oud"ess su!!oundings2 am/ien+e o! a !oom 5hi+h is 5e""$en#i"a#ed and fu"" of "igh#, On #he o#he! hand2 Vie#namese eo"e sa% =!ˆ nhc /an ng%> #o emhasi
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE is unsusi+ious2 +on$in+ing and +"ea! 9eg: Vi+ [‰ !ˆ nhc /an ng% !ki +‡n g(, In addi#ion2 =+hr+ nhc [inh [ng +#> is a $e!% +ommon"% used +oma!a#i$e idiom 5hi+h dei+#s some#hing un+hangea/"e2 s#eadfas#, In#e!es#ing"%2 in Eng"ish2 =as ha!d as nai"> of#en indi+a#es a $e!% s#!i+# e!son, Co!parati%e idio!s with i!ages of well'known persons. One in#e!es#ing
and no#e5o!#h% oin# is #ha# eo"e of#en "i7en +e!#ain human +ha!a+#e!is#i+s2 ;ua"i#ies 95he#he! good o! /ad o! aea!an+es #o #hose of 5e""7no5n e!sons #ha# used #o e6is# in Li#e!a#u!e o! His#o!% of #hei! +oun#!%, Dis#in+#"%2 ea+h +u"#u!e2 ea+h na#ion has i#s o5n +ha!a+#e!s, Fo! e6am"e2 Vie#namese eo"e a!e a"" fami"ia! 5i#h =Cui>2 =HoYn Thc>2 =Bp#>2 =+ha Chzm> us# as Eng"ish eo"e 5i#h =O#he""o>2 =C!oesus>2 =La!!%>2 =Adam>2 =La2 =T!oan>28Be+ause of #ha# fa+#2 ea+h "a+e has $e!% #%i+a" and uni;ue h!ases as 5e"" as +oma!a#i$e idioms, In Vie#namese2 5hen #a"7ing a/ou# someone 5ho "ies #o o#he!s def#"% and $e!% of#en and 5e ha$e = Ni di nhc Cui> sin+e a++o!ding #o a famous ane+do#e2 =Cui> is an e6e!# a# !e#ending and #e""ing "ies, Ano#he! e6am"e is =N€ nhc +ha Chzm>2 5hi+h is u#i"i is a e!son 5ho 5as dee"% in de/# /efo!e he /e+ame a ing, Then he didn@# 7no5 #o 5hom he o5ed mone% and ho5 #o a% #hem a""2 so he had #o e6em# e$e!%one f!om #a6 fo! one %ea!, The!e a!e man% o#he! e6am"es: =Vrng nhc +hUa / 'anh> 9dese!#ed2 un$isi#ed2 em#%K =Ghen nhc HoYn Thc> 9/i##e!"% and insane"% ea"ous2 g!een 5i#h en$%2 =Scng nhc #i^n> 9 $e!% ha%2 e+s#a#i+K =Hi}n nhc /p#> 9 $e!% gen#"e2 /enign2 5i""ing #o he"K ='a nghi nhc To ThXo>28Simi"a!"%2 in Eng"ish2 5e +an see man% e6am"es, One #%i+a" e6am"e is =as !i+h as C!oesus>, C!oesus 5as an e6#!eme"% 5ea"#h% 7ing, He 5as so !i+h and gene!ous #ha# his gues#s 5e!e a"" gi$en #he e!mission #o #a7e as mu+h go"d as #he%
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE +ou"d on #hei! "ea$ing, Besides #ha#2 5e ha$e =as o"d as Adam>K =as oo! as LaK =as ea"ous as O#he""o>K = as ha% as La!!%>K =#o 5o!7 "i7e T!oan> 9 The T!oan a!e said #o /e "a/o!ious and ha!d5o!7ing eo"e28 ?hen #a7ing a/ou# a fu!ious"% ea"ous e!son2 Vie#namese eo"e use =ghen nhc HoYn Thc> 9 a +ha!a+#e! in T!u%en ieu 5hi"e in Eng"ish2 eo"e 5i"" !emem/e! #he idiom =as ea"ous as O#he""o> 9 a famous +ha!a+#e! in Sha7esea!e@s d!ama, Ce!#ain"%2 #he image of +oma!ison is diffe!en# /u# 5e ha$e #he same indi+a#ion and meaning, Mo!eo$e!2 fo! dei+#ing #he s#a#e of hainess and g!ea# fo!#une2 Vie#namese eo"e usua""% use =scng nhc #i^n> 5hi"e i# 5ou"d /e =as ha% as a 7ing> in Eng"ish "anguage, A+#ua""%2 =#i^n> o! =/p#> a!e o5e!fu" and /ene$o"en# ones +!ea#ed /% #he imagina#ion of #he oo! and 5ea7 eo"e 5ho 5ish #o /e he"ed and ha$e a /e##e! "ife, As 5e +an see2 5hen #a"7ing a/ou# hainess2 Eng"ish eo"e use a +on+!e#e2 !ea" image =7ing> 5ho is a e!son ha$ing #he highes# s#a#us and o5e! in so+ie#%, In +on#!as#2 Vie#namese eo"e #end #o #hin7 of =#i^n> 9fai!% 5hi+h is an imagina#i$e image, In no un+e!#ain #e!ms2 using idioms of +oma!ison 5i#h images of 5e""7no5n e!sons is a good and e$en im!essing 5a% #o +on$e% an idea, Ho5e$e!2 fo! e$e!% +u"#u!e has i#s uni;ue images2 i# is a!duous fo! fo!eigne!s o! "anguage "ea!ne!s #o fu""% and +o!!e+#"% in#e!!e# and unde!s#and #hem, The sa!e ani!al i!ages with different connotations and !eanings. I#
5ou"d /e $e!% e6+i#ing #o send some #ime #a7ing anima" images in#o a++oun#, In fa+#2 anima"s +an /e a $ie5ed as good o! /ad2 sa+!ed o! "o5 in diffe!en# +u"#u!es, Be+ause of #ha#2 #he same anima" image +an /e u# in #o +oma!ison 5i#h diffe!en# meanings and indi+a#ions in Eng"ish and Vie#namese, Ta7e =o5"> as an i""us#!a#i$e e6am"e2 in Asian +u"#u!e2 a!#i+u"a!"% in Vie#nam2 =o5"> is seen as a di!#%2 sme""% o!
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE mehi#i+ anima" and i# is of#en asso+ia#ed 5i#h un+"ean"iness, Tha#@s #he !eason 5h% 5e ha$e #he +oma!a#i$e idiom =h_i nhc +>,Con$e!se"%2 in Eng"ish +u"#u!e2 eo"e of#en sa% =as 5ise as an o5">, O/$ious"%2 #he o5" is $ie5ed as a s%m/o" of 5isdom2 sh!e5dness o! !e$e!en# saga+i#%, Ano#he! e6am"e is #ha# Vie#namese eo"e f!e;uen#"% "i7en some/od% du""2 o/#use #o a ig 9heo o! a +o5Qo6 9/‡2 as in =ngu nhc /‡>2 =ngu nhc heo>285hi"e in Eng"ish eo"e "i7e #o sa% =as s#uid as a don7e%> o! =as s#uid as an ass>, To sum u2 i#@s /e+ause of diffe!en+es in +u"#u!e and $ie5oin#s #ha# +ause a "o# of in#e!es#ing dissimi"a!ies in "anguage in gene!a" and in idioms of +oma!ison in a!#i+u"a!, O/$ious"%2 /% e6amining2 onde!ing and +oma!ing #he images of +oma!ion in idioms of diffe!en# "anguages2 5e +an 7no5 a "o# of #hings, I#@s #!ue #ha# #he images of +oma!ison of#en #a7e a"ong 5i#h #hem #he na#iona" o! !egiona" iden#i#ies 5hi+h +an no# /e #o#a""% +onfounded,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
#olutions for Better Translation and #o!e Teaching I!plications
Ha$ing e6amined some !i$e#ing and no#e5o!#h% simi"a!i#ies as 5e"" as diffe!en+es /e#5een Eng"ish and Vie#namese idioms of +oma!ison2 he!e +omes some im"i+a#ions2 sugges#ions #ha# ma% /e ese+ia""% usefu" fo! "anguage #ea+he!s and #hose 5ho 5o!7 on #!ans"a#ion, I!plications for Translation
As 5e +an see2 a"#hough idioms of +oma!ison a!e us# a sma"" a!# of "anguage2 #he!e a!e "o#s of #hings fo! us #o a% a##en#ion, Besides some +e!#ain simi"a!i#ies2 +oin+iden+es 5hi+h ma7e #!ans"a#ion a /i# easie!2 idioms of +oma!ison in Eng"ish and #hose in Vie#namese ha$e man% s#!i7ing dissimi"a!i#ies, The same +oma!a#i$e images +an "ead #o diffe!en# meanings and $i+e $e!sa2 #he same meanings +an /e e6!essed /% $a!ious images, Human!e"a#ed +omonen#s in +oma!a#i$e idioms 5hi+h +a!!% 5i#h #hem dis#in+# and na#iona" iden#i#ies a!e a"so daun#ing imedimen#s #o in#e!!e#a#ion and #!ans"a#ion, O/$ious"%2 5e +an no# #!ans"a#e =Ha!!% is as good as go"d #oda%> in#o Vie#namese as =H_m na%2 Ha!!% ## nhc $ng $W%>, I#@s us# =no# !igh#> and meaning"ess #o Vie#namese eo"e, Simi"a!"%2 =as eas% as ABC> shou"dn@# /e #!ans"a#ed as =d& nhc " ABC> o! =as s#!ong as a ho!se> as = 7hwe nhc ngqa> 28Those +"ums% and unna#u!a" #!ans"a#ions need #o /e a$oided a# a"" +os#, To ma7e /e##e! #!ans"a#ions2 ese+ia""% 5hen i# +omes #o idioms of +oma!ison2 #he!e a!e some oin#s #ha# shou"d /e #a7en in#o +onside!a#ion, Fi!s#"%2 sin+e ea+h +oun#!% has i#s o5n +u"#u!e and diffe!en+es in "anguage a!e usua""% +aused /% una"i7e +u"#u!es2 a #!ans"a#o! need #o 7ee in mind #ha# a good unde!s#anding of +u"#u!e is a mus# if heQshe 5an#s #o ma7e !oe! #!ans"a#ion, Mas#e!ing o#he! +u"#u!es is indisu#a/"% s#!enuous and #ime+onsuming, In fa+#2 #he
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE mos# imo!#an# #hing is #ha# 5e shou"d fos#e! a gene!a" and 7een a5a!eness of +u"#u!a" diffe!en+es2 5hi+h 5i"" in some 5a%s he" us #o a$oid su+h unna#u!a" and ma"ad!oi# #!ans"a#ing 5o!7s and im!o$e ou!se"$es in #!ans"a#ion, Addi#iona""%2 en+oun#e!ing some unfami"ia! +on+e#s2 e6+e#iona""% diffe!en# $ie5oin#s o! some idioms as 5e"" as e6!essions #ha# aea! ha!d #o unde!s#and is some#hing 5e +an@# he" shunning in #!ans"a#ion, I#@s of a!amoun# signifi+an+e #o ha$e an oenminded $ie5 #o a++e# #he #hough# and /e"ief of o$e!sea eo"e2 #o fee" 5ha# #he% fee" and #o sa% 5ha# #he% sa%, I#@s a"so ne+essa!% #o =#hin7 #5i+e> and /ase on #he +on#e6#2 #he +i!+ums#an+es o! #he si#ua#ions in o!de! #o dedu+e2 !ende! #he e6a+# meanings, Ne$e! shou"d 5e fi!m"% +"ing #o 5o!d/%5o!d #!ans"a#ion2 ese+ia""% 5hen i# +omes #o idioms sin+e #he% a!e sea!a#e seman#i+ uni#s 5hose meanings gene!a""% +an no# /e e"u+ida#ed /% #!ans"a#ing a"" of #he +omonen# 5o!ds, Mo!eo$e!2 5e need #o /e f"e6i/"e 5hen #!ans"a#ing, In man% +ases2 a #!ans"a#o! has #o +a!efu""% ma7e a de+ision on 5he#he! heQshe shou"d 7ee #he "i#e!a" deno#a#ion o! +hange i# if ne+essa!% #o ma7e /e##e! and #he mos# sa#isfa+#o!% #!ans"a#ions, Las# /u# no# "eas#2 idioms as 5e"" as idioms of +oma!ison +an /e seen as a huge"% in#!iguing and +ha""enging a!# in "anguage, In fa+#2 #he% a!e u#i"i
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE I!plications for Language Teaching
I#@s +"ea! #ha# in man% +ases2 #o "ea!n a fo!eign "anguage effe+#i$e"%2 one shou"d ha$e good 7no5"edge of hisQhe! o5n mo#he! #ongue, The!efo!e2 ame"io!a#ing na#i$e "anguage@s +ome#en+e of s#uden#s is su+h a signifi+an# #hing #o do, Ho5e$e!2 7no5"edge of #he fi!s# "anguage +an some#imes in#e!fe!e 5i#h #he fo!eign "anguage a+;uisi#ion of s#uden#s, In !ea"i#%2 #he% #end #o ma7e gene!a"i s#uden#s 5i#h gene!a" unde!s#anding of +u"#u!e in #he #a!ge# "anguagesea7ing +oun#!%, Mo!eo$e!2 i#@s of a!amoun# imo!#an+e #o !egu"a!"% !aise s#uden#s@ a5a!eness of #he +u"#u!a" and so+ia" dissimi"a!i#ies /e#5een #he #5o "anguages and na#ions, In "anguage #ea+hing2 i#@s essen#ia" #o a% a##en#ion #o idioms of +oma!ison and simi"es as #he% +an /e u#i"i
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE !oe!"% u#i"i #o #he "anguage2 ma7ing e$e!% +on$e!sa#ion mo!e e6+i#ing and engaging,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Conclusion
Cu"#u!e has an ese+ia""% s#!ong inf"uen+e on "anguage 5hi+h on i#s a!#2 fai#hfu""% and !ema!7a/"% a+#s as a mi!!o! !ef"e+#ing +u"#u!e, The!e a!e "o#s of simi"a!i#ies and dissimi"a!i#ies /e#5een Eng"ish and Vie#namese +oma!a#i$e idioms 5hi+h main"% !esu"# f!om +u"#u!a" diffe!en+es, The same +oma!a#i$e images +an some#imes "ead #o diffe!en# meanings and $i+e $e!sa2 #he same meanings +an /e e6!essed /% $a!ious images, In$es#iga#ing idioms of +oma!ison in #he #5o "anguages a+#ua""% he" #o =ha!$es#> a "o# of usefu" #hings2 some of 5hi+h a!e #he in+!ease in 7no5"edge of idioms2 #he mo!e unde!s#anding of +u"#u!e and #he im!o$emen# of !esea!+hing as 5e"" as "anguage +on#!as#ing s7i""s, Mo!eo$e!2 af#e! #he s#ud%2 #he!e a"so eme!ges man% good oin#s #ha# +an /e feasi/"% a"ied in "anguage #ea+hing and #!ans"a#ion,
IDIOMS OF COMPARISON IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Refe!en+es T%"o!2 E, B, 943, Primitive culture, Ne5 o!7: B!en#ano`s, Gee!#<2 C, 940, The interpretation of cultures, Ne5 o!7: Basi+ Boo7s, Hudson2 R, 941, Sociolinguistics, Cam/!idge: Cam/!idge *ni$e!si#% P!ess, Li2 , 9311, Cu"#u!e and Language, US-China Foreign anguage! " 92 303, Benedi+#2 R, 940, Patterns of Culture, Ne5 o!7: Hough#on Miff"in, No!d;uis#2 R, 9 n,d,, #hat is language$. Re#!ie$ed De+em/e! 312 31442 f!om h##:QQg!amma!,a/ou#,+omQodQg!amma!fa;QfQ5ha#is"ang,h#m Ro/in2 R, H, 94, %eneral linguistics, London: Longman, anguage , 9n,d,, Re#!ie$ed De+em/e! 312 31442 f!om
h##:QQ"anguage"ea!ningoasis,/"ogso#,+omQ B!o5n2 H, D, 94, Principles of language learning and teaching , Eng"e5ood C"iffs2 N\: P!en#i+eHa"", !ams+h2 C, 93111, anguage and Culture, O6fo!d: O6fo!d *ni$e!si#% P!ess, Ngu%en2 M, D, 94, Cu"#u!e sho+7 a !e$ie5 of Vie#namese +u"#u!e and i#s +on+e#s of hea"#h and disease, Cross-cultural &edicine! '() 2 143, Ho!n/%2 A, S, 94, *+ford ,dvanced earners Dictionar , O6fo!d: O6fo!d *ni$e!si#% P!ess, Ho!n/%2 A, S, 9311, *+ford ,dvanced earners Dictionar , O6fo!d: O6fo!d *ni$e!si#% P!ess, C!use2 D, A, 94, e+ical Semantics, Cam/!idge: Cam/!idge *ni$e!si#% P!ess, Hanoi2 Vie#nam, Vinog!ado$2 V, V, 94, Fundamentals of %eneral inguistics, Mos+o5: Mos+o5 Highe! S+hoo" Pu/"ishing House,
